This story has been a breeze to write. I love Nora and Stefan. Damon will be introduced at a coming point. But for now enjoy this. Please REVIEW :) I was going to wait but I was just to excited.

-Lighthope1

Short Life

Nora's POV

"You are late Nora!" hollered Maggie from the back of the diner.

I sighed and went behind the counter to grab an apron. "I got into all of my classes!" I yelled back into the kitchen.

Nikki (our cook) poked his head out of the serving window. "About time our girl got her classes! I say we have a celebration after work!"

I smiled at the old man. Nikki was the best cook Maggie's diner had ever had. He was a good short order cook. You cannot replace a good cook nor a good cup of joe.

Melissa, my co worker who had offered me the go go boots, handed me the coffee server. "Tables 3, 7, and 12 need coffee and the twitchy lady in white wants decaf."

"Did you tell her it would be a while till we get the decaf made?" I asked.

Melissa groaned, "I repeat she's a twitchy lady. Enjoy her while I go out for my smoke break."

"Hey Melissa, don't be gone too long." I hollered as she exited the entrance. Melissa half waved in my direction. It would be a long thirty minutes.

A few hours later

I sat at the counter resting my head in my arms. I was tired. The real tired where your calves are screaming bloody murder and if you hear one more complaint about not having hash browns on the menu today you might consider hurting someone.

I looked over at Melissa, who was a short red head with more energy than should be deemed possible co worker, deal with the twitchy lady. She had occupied the same booth all morning and only ordered refills of decaf coffee.

Melissa turned and gave me a glare of frustration.

I stretched my hand back and hit the red button on the coffee maker to start brewing decaf.

"If Maggie gives the word, you have got to help me get this lady to leave." Melissa said.

I nodded mechanically.

"So you actually got into all of your classes?" Melissa asked as she wrote out another order and placed it on the order spinner.

I smiled. "Yeah, I did. I met a guy too."

She smiled and came to lean on the counter across from me. "Spill the goods Nora. I told you the go go boots would be your answer."

I laughed at Melissa's remark. "His name is Stefan Salvatore. That's all I got besides that he will be in all of my classes."

"So he's a mystery man. Now what are you going to tell Jem?" she asked.

I bit my lower lip. Jem was my boyfriend of about two years. In those two years, we had only been together for six months. He had enlisted and had been overseas for most of our relationship on a military base.

"I am not going to tell Jem. " I said confidently. "He does not tell me about the females he meets overseas. How is that different?"

"I don't get why you're still with Jem. I know he was your boyfriend your first semester at Yale but that was so long ago. It's time for a change." Melissa encouraged.

"Maybe you're right." I said quietly.

"Miss?" echoed the decaf lady. "Is my coffee ready?"

Melissa gave me on last glance and made a cut throat motion before turned with a cheerful smile to the decaf lady. This was going to be a long day; I could feel it both in my legs and mind.

My mind lingered on the thought. Maybe it was time to give Jem up.

Stefan's POV

I felt the warm blood drip down the edge of my mouth. Satisfaction was bitter sweet.

I had fallowed my pray for most of the afternoon. He was the scum of the earth; a traveling freak show with a horrible mental problem. He planned to go into the next town and shoot the mayor. This one time I felt like I had helped humanity.

But why did I still feel so horrible?

I have never done well with being alone with my thoughts. I was a prisoner to my vampire ways.

I called it simply a tormented soul.

But this morning, I had been in the sunlight and smiled for the first time in a long time. It was my humanity's satisfaction.

A few days later: First Day of School

Nora's POV

I ditched the working uniform today. Instead I chose to wear shorts, a blouse with topsiders. My blonde hair was pulled back by a simple burette and some simple makeup. I carried my medical books and wore a sweater around my shoulders.

Dr. Swanson taught my first class. I groaned at the thought of his lab. I knew there would only be about five females in the class. I sat in the middle left row. It would be close enough to hear the teacher but to not be constantly attacked with questions. I had learned that mistake years before.

My breath was taken away as Stefan walked into the classroom. He walked to Dr. Swanson and introduced himself. Something that the doctor was not accustomed to his students doing. I smiled inwardly to Stefan's old fashion ways.

He looked at one auditorium and seemed to find what he was looking for.

In moments I was staring at the charming Salvatore. His eyes were trying to decipher my hazel.

"Hello Norma. May I sit next to you today?" he asked in a cool collect tone.

I nodded. "How are you doing Stefan?"

"Honestly, A bit nervous for this class. I hear Dr. Swanson is tough." He said casually.

I tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind my ear. "I think if you find a good study partner you would be just fine."

I was secretly hoping he would ask me but he remained silent on the topic.

Then class started and I felt stupid.

Stefan POV

It was too soon to hang out with a human. I was constantly hungry and one false move would cause me to become deadly.

I watched Nora write her notes in perfect cursive. Her features were softened by her look today compared to the waitress uniform from the other day. She looked so fragile yet ready to take on the world.

I had met very few women in my lifetime with that type of inner strength. I had a feeling it would be hard for my humanity to not want to know her.

I stared down at my blank notebook. So much for keeping up with the lecture, in the next glance a pencil was on my notebook.

"Be prepared next time Salvatore" she said confidently.

I had a very dark secret that I wanted to hide from everyone including myself. I hated always killing others.

Nora's POV

Classes ended for the day and Salvatore and I hit it off well.

I looked at the clock tower on campus and groaned. I wish I hadn't signed up for the night shift at Maggie's but Melissa had to take care of her younger sick sister.

"I got to go Stefan." I said while awkwardly standing in the courtyard.

He smiled, "I guess it's time to go back to Maggie's?"

I nodded. "Sadly I don't get to stay out and go to the ball."

"It was a good day Nora. I'm glad we got to hang out." He said.

"You should come to Maggie's sometime. We make some killer coffee and I know how it's to be a college student. Plus we could study." I said.

"Maybe Nora, I think you should head out." He said while pointing to the parking lot.

"Take cares Stefan." I said while waving to him goodbye.

It was simple between us. Nothing complicated just two students wanting to take on the world. It was refreshing to talk to him. Something that I had missed and didn't find many people to enjoy.

However I felt like he was hold back.

As if only walking on shattered glass, but maybe I was reading into it too much. But I had to say we had only really hung out twice. And I thought I was a good judge of people. Go figure.

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